Changing Gears

During a car ride the other day, Em and I had an interesting discussion and reflection about Abbi’s growth and how things have really changed in the last few weeks. Abbi was comfortably asleep in her car seat so she has no idea we were talking about her

At first we were comparing our disbelief that she is now 11 months old. “Where did the time go?”, we each asked? Passing a tractor trailer on Route 88, we both just shook our heads saying “I don’t know” It’s been an amazing journey and experience but everyone that has ever said “it goes by so fast” is absolutely correct.

We then reminisced about some of our favorite parenting memories. Em still loves the bond that exists during breastfeeding and I am just amazed at how many new things she is doing or saying. Things that have come about recently. For example, just this morning I hear Abbi wake up. When I got into the nursery, she was standing in her crib as normal with a big smile on her face. I said my usual, “HI Abbi” and to my surprise, she countered with a still tired “hi daddy”.

Our car ride conversation also included how things have gone from more physical to emotional and personality based. Let me explain. The first 10 months or so, even though Abbi was learning every day, there were physical things that we had to try and teach her. We had to help her sit up, get her to eat food off a spoon, sit down without hitting her head, stand, raise her hands when putting on or removing a shirt, and saying words for her to learn and repeat. Mostly physical in nature.

The last few weeks things are much more personality based. We used to be able to give her any toy as a distraction. Now, she sees a toy that she wants and will not give up until that exact thing is in her reach. She is telling us (in different levels of crying) which foods she doesn’t care for. She knows just how to look at us while dangling her sippy cup over the edge of her high chair to get a response. If she doesn’t want to sit, there is no coaxing her to sit. She also has no fear as she doesn’t quite understand the consequences of crawling off the side of the bed or getting stuck when reaching for a toy in between the couch and wall.

All of this means that she’s growing up into her own little person. It was noticable to Em and I that more and more dynamics are being included. I can’t wait for the teenage years.